18th century Bible and typography masterpiece acquired by Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections

Posted on May 22, 2012 by William Denton

18th century John Baskerville Bible placed in the care of York University Libraries

Two hundred years after its printing a copy of John Baskerville’s folio edition of the Holy Bible – one of only 1,250 printed in Cambridge, England in 1763 – made its way to Canada. That same rare Bible was transferred by Richard Tottenham to York University Libraries’ (YUL) Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections, making it one of only two copies in a Canadian academic library.

John Baskerville’s folio edition of the Holy Bible was printed by Cambridge University Press in 1763. Baskerville was recognized as a type-setting trailblazer and Random House notes that this edition of the Holy Bible is, “a Baskerville masterpiece, regarded as the finest and most important work from Baskerville’s Cambridge Press.” The Bible was printed in Baskerville’s Great Primer type which is slender and delicate, combining elegance with readability – important traits since the book was intended to be read aloud from church pulpits. T.B. Reed describes the Bible in A History of the Old English Letter Foundries as Baskerville’s “magnum opus… his most magnificent as well as most characteristic specimen.”

Michael Moir, university archivist and head of Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections, notes the scholarly value that this Bible can bring to coursework and research at York. “At first glance one may think a Bible would be an excellent teaching aid for humanities courses, but I think it could seamlessly be integrated into fine arts curriculums and research – specifically book design courses,” says Moir. “John Baskerville is known as a typographic expert and this folio edition of the Holy Bible can be a valuable resource for fine arts undergraduate students studying the evolution of the printing process and typography.”

Second Marquess of Ely

Speaking to the authenticity and longevity of this 250-year-old Bible are hand-scribed records of birth and baptismal dates within Tottenham’s family, dating back to the year 1810. These recordings trace Tottenham’s lineage and suggest the year in which the Bible was originally purchased by the second Marquess of Ely (Tottenham’s ancestor.) Preserving these familial references was important to Tottenham and part of the reason that he decided to bestow the Bible to Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections. “My siblings and I wanted the Bible to be housed at York so it could be studied and used to enhance scholarship and research,” Tottenham explains. “But I also knew it would be well preserved which was important to me because the Bible contains references to my ancestry.”

This Bible has been entrusted to the archives due, in large part, to a coincidental conversation between Tottenham and York University LA&PS professor, John Lennox. “Richard (Tottenham) and I have been friends and neighbours for many years and in a recent conversation he serendipitously mentioned that he inherited an 18^th century Bible,” Lennox explains. “I thought it would be of great interest to scholars and researchers and a marvelous addition to our rare books collection. I mentioned to Richard that Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections would be able to conserve the Bible’s historical value while making it accessible to the public. I’m delighted about the whole thing and tremendously grateful to Richard for placing the Bible in York University Libraries’ (YUL) care and to Michael Moir for making it happen.”

For more information about John Baskerville’s edition of the Bible or how to integrate it into coursework and research, please contact:

Anna St.Onge
Archivist, Digital Projects and Outreach

Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, Room 305, Scott Library
astonge@yorku.ca

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Photograph and painting:

1) (From left to right) Professor John Lennox, with friend Richard Tottenham, present John Baskerville’s 18^th century Holy Bible to university librarian, Cynthia Archer.

2) A painting of the second Marquess of Ely, Richard Tottenham’s ancestor and purchaser of the John Baskerville Bible in the year 1810.

Students ‘plug-in’ to their studies at the Scott Library

Posted on May 9, 2012 by William Denton

A recent renovation to the fourth floor of Scott Library came as a pleasant surprise to students studying for their winter exams. This renovation added 136 new, wired, silent study spaces.

The newly renovated silent study spaces

“The York University Libraries (YUL) realizes the importance of providing additional seating – each year – to address the evolving needs of students who are looking for quality study spaces. We wanted to make it easy for students to find a place on campus to ‘plug-in’ – to their studies,” says associate university librarian, information services, Mark Robertson.

The transformation of Scott Library’s fourth floor means the original 30 silent study spaces in this area have increased to 166.

Scott Elevator Maintenance shutdown May 5-20, 2011

Posted on May 2, 2011 by William Denton

Please be advised that the elevator in Scott Library will be shut down on the morning of May 5 and will remain out of service for up to two weeks to allow for major preventative maintenance of key component. We have tried to arrange to have the work done at a time when there would be the least demand on the elevator.

We are currently working out logistics and contacts for accommodation for users with disabilities who require access library materials or study spaces.

We will provide more detail as soon as it becomes available.

Renovations in Scott Library: an update

Posted on April 16, 2010 by William Denton

Anyone who has entered the Scott Library Atrium in the last few weeks will have noticed three huge panels describing the scope of the Learning Commons renovations that will be occurring this summer. To learn more about this project, please click here.

In part, the renovations will be occurring in the reference area just off the atrium (behind the nail wall sculpture) where the computers and the Scott Reference collection are currently located. The construction work will commence in May. More information will soon be posted on the Libraries web page. Please stay tuned!

Some preparations of this space will, however, begin Monday, April 19th, when we will be moving the collection of Scott Reference books into a temporary location in the Scott Library atrium (this process should take several days). If material is needed from this collection during the period it takes to relocate the collection, please inquire at the Information Desk or Research Questions Desk.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience during the renovation process.

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Robertson.

New Food Policy in Scott Library

Posted on January 4, 2010 by William Denton

Some food for thought: the Scott Library has a new food and drink policy!

The staff of Scott Library recognize that food and drink are often essential components in studying and learning. However, we are equally committed to ensuring that you have a clean, comfortable, and inviting place to learn outside the classroom walls. But we need your help!

Please be aware that hot foods and meals such as pizza, fries and pasta are not permitted in any of the York Libraries. Hot foods are often messy, and the oils and sauces on them can do serious damage to property and the important materials that you need for your studies. As well, these foods often have odours that disturb others.

In most parts of the Scott Library drinks and cold snacks are permitted. Examples of cold snacks include fruit, cookies, chocolate bars, etc. Please be aware that the food and drink policies are actually different in different York library locations (eg. Steacie, Frost, etc.). For more detailed information about what is permitted in the various libraries on campus, please consult the food and drink policy listed on the library’s web site.

To further ensure that the Libraries remains clean and comfortable, we are also asking all users to clean up after themselves. Please throw your garbage in the many bins located through the library, or take it with you!

Library users in violation of the policy will be kindly asked to discard their food, store it out of sight in a bag or knapsack, or leave the library.

This policy has been put in place for your comfort and enjoyment, and has been endorsed by the Library Student Advisory Council. Library staff will work hard on your behalf to ensure that the library remains the best place to study outside the classroom, but we need your cooperation to make it happen.

It’s your library, so let’s respect it!